Door lock construction



Jan. 20, 1970 H. w. ROLLINS DOOR LOCK CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan.

Fig. 2

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/ III/Ill] IIII/II/ Henry W. Rollins ZNVENTOK.

Jan. 20;, 1970 H. w. ROLLINS 3,490,803

DOOR LOCK CONSTRUGT ION Filed Jan. 5, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 5

M c 3 I 40 96 3M 70 7 f .Q

Henry W Rollins INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,490,803 DOOR LOCK CONSTRUCTION Henry W. Rollins, PO. Box 578, Waterville, Maine 04901 Filed Jan. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 606,796 Int. Cl. Ec 1/12 US. Cl. 292-170 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lock wherein a longitudinally movable pluger effects a selective retraction of the latch bolt through a camming engagement with a spring biased latch retractor. The plunger, in addition to providing for a camming movement of the retractor through a push-pull action, may also function to effect the desired latch retraction through a rotational movement of the plunger.

The instant invention relates to new and useful improvements in door locks, and is more specifically concerned with the provision of a door lock operable through the longitudinal push-pull action of a received latch retracting plunger.

It is a particularly significant object of the instant invention to provide a door lock which combines a positive latching action, such as found in conventional knob sets, with a push-pull action for effecting the retraction of the latch bolt. The necessity of combining a poitive latching lock bolt with a push-pull release is particularly acute in hospital construction in that stringent fire and hospital regulations, in most localities, now require that the doors to the patients rooms incorporate a positive latch mechanism, rather than being free swinging as in the past. Basically, the reason for this is that the free swinging door cannot effectively function as a fire stop, but will, on the contrary, upon the buildup of pressure during a substantial fire, merely pop open, exposing the patients to the destructive forces generated by the fire, be it heat, smoke, or a lack of oxygen. In conjunction with this new generally universal requirement for a positive latching door, is the necessity of providing a door which can be easily opened through a suitable pushing or pulling action so as to enable nurses, orderlies, etc. to easily pass therethrough while carrying articles which do not normally allow free use of the hands in turning a knob or the like. In other words, hospital doors, to be functionally acceptable, must be openable through a slight pressure thereon with, as an example, ones elbow or arm. The meeting of all of these specific requirements was considered a primary factor in devising the door lock construction of the instant invention.

Another particularly significant object of the instant invention is the provision of a construction which, in addition to producing a door lock operable through a pushpull action, also simultaneously provides for a rotational retraction of the latch bolt in the manner of a conventional knob set. For example, through the unique construction of this invention, a conventionally appearing two knob lock set can be provided aad operated through a rotation of either knob or through a pushing or pulling of the appropriate knob.

Likewise, the features of the instant invention are uniquely adaptable to many special situations, such as an emergency door wherein it is desirable to incorporate an interior emergency bar which effects an unlatching of the bolt through a pushing action, and an exterior key controlled knob which requires the insertion and rotational manipulation of a key for effecting a retraction of the latch bolt.

Basically, the lock construction of the instant invention 3,490,803 Patented Jan. 20, 1970 "ice comprises a latch unit incorporating a spring biased retractible latch bolt, a slidably mounted spring biased latch retractor, and one or more plunger-like members which engage and selectively eifect a movement of the latch retractor and a corresponding retraction of the latch bolt, the plunger means being operable through either a longitudinal or a rotational movement thereof.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of one face of a door incorporating the push-pull lock of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view of the opposite side of the door, illustrating the pull plate;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along line 33 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the actuating plunger;

FIGURE .5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 55 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating a modified use of the latch construction of the instant invention;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 77 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 88 in FIGURE FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 7 with the latch bolt retracted;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a modified actuating plunger utilized in the set-up of FIGURES 6-9;

FIGURE 11 is a partial cross-sectional view through yet another modified door lock construction;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view taken substantlially on a plane passing along line 1212 in FIGURE FIGURE 13 is a partial cross-sectional view generally similar to FIGURE 12 illustrating one manner of retracting the latch bolt, by rotating the push-pull plunger; and

FIGURE 14 is a perspective detail of the latch retractor.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and particularly FIGURES 1-5, reference numeral 20 is used to generally designate the door lock construction of the instant invention. The door lock 20, in this particular embodiment, is to be operated by a pair of opposed door mounted control plates 22 and 24, each mounted on an opposed face of the door 26 in a manner so as to flex slightly, through an appropriate push or pull, for actuating the lock or latch mechanism. Both the push plate 22 and the pull plate 24 can be similarly formed and will, in one embodiment as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, each include an elongated flat panel-like body having an inwardly offset upper end portion 27 suitably aflixed to the door itself, and an outwardly offset lower end or lip portion 28 which can be both easily pushed and equally easily engaged behind for a moving of the corresponding plate, 22 or 24. Both control plates 22 and 24 will be fixedly engaged with the opposite ends of the elongated actuating plunger 30 of the lock or latch construction 20 generally adjacent the lower outwardly offset lip 28 so as to enable the utilization of a maximum portion of the length of the control plates 22 and 24 to obtain the degree of flexing movement necessary to move the actuating plunger 30.

The lock construction 20 includes, in addition to the elongated plunger 30, a latch unit 32 which comprises a cylindrical housing 34 closed on the forward end thereof by a latch face plate 36 through which an internally received latch bolt 38 projects for engagement within the jamb recess 40. A relative narrow concentric elongated latch bar 42 is fixed to and extends rearwardly from the latch bolt 38 through a reduced opening provided through the inner end of the latch housing 34, the latch bar 42 terminating in a pair of laterally directed ears 44. The latch bolt 38 is biased forwardly for projection of the forward beveled end thereof through the face plate 36 by an enlarged coiled compression spring 46 positioned within the housing 34 about the latch bar 42 and having the opposite ends thereof engaged with the inner end of the latch bolt 38 and the closed end of the housing 34. An appropriate shoulder or offset 48 on the latch bolt 38 limits its projection through the face plate 36 in an obvious manner. Finally, a pair of laterally directed prongs 50, fixed to the housing 34, project rearwardly from the housing 34 for engagement within a transverse opening 52 defined in the wall of the interior cylindrical latch housing 54. In this manner, the latch unit can be releasably locked to the cylindrical housing 54.

The cylindrical housing 54 itself includes a hollow cylindrical body 56 having a completely open outside end 58 and an inside end including a reduced diameter hollow co-axial sleeve-like extension 60 surrounded by a circular end wall 62. The aforementioned housing opening which receives the latch unit prongs 50 opens through the end wall 62, noting in particular FIGURE 3, with the oppositely outwardly directed prongs 50 sliding laterally past the end wall 62 for engagement within the cylindrical body 56 as indicated in FIGURE 5. With the latch unit 32 thus secured to the cylindrical housing 54, the laterally directed latch bar ears 44 are located within the cylindrical enlarged body 56 of the housing 54 and are engaged by the inwardly directed end portions 63 of a pair of laterally spaced side arms 64 on the latch retractor 66, the retractor 66 being slidably mounted within the housing 54 in longitudinally alignment with the latch bolt 38 for effecting a selective retraction thereof. The latch retractor, 66, noting the detail of FIGURE 14, includes, in addition to the side arms 64, a pair of inwardly directed abutment shoulders 68, at approximately midway along said arms 64, the forward faces of which receive and react to the camming portions of the actuating plunger 30 as shall be described subsequently. The rear faces of the two shoulder portions 68 receive the laterally directed flanges 70 of a generally U-shaped spring seat 72 which center, position and retain a pair of coiled biasing compression springs 74. The biasing springs 74 extend between the flanges 70, which engage against the shoulder portions 68, and a pair of inwardly directed ears 76 on a hub frame 78 which centers and slidably mounts the latch retractor within the cylindrical housing 54, the hub frame ears 76, noting FIGURE 5, having spring centering nipples 80 thereon. With the springs 74 so orientated, it will be appreciated that the latch retractor 56 is biased forwardly so as to enable a projection of the latch bolt 38 beyond the latch face plate 36, the latch spring 46 further insuring a proper projection of the latch bolt 38 in a retractable manner.

The hub frame 78 is laterally introducible through the open end 58 of the cylindrical housing 54 and includes inner and outer hub plates 82 and 84 which confine the latch retractor 66 therebetween, the outer hub plate 84 coacting with the end wall 86 of the hub frame 78 in a manner so as to retain the flanged end 88 of the laterally projecting hub 90 which is in turn longitudinally aligned with the sleeve-like portion 60 of the cylindrical housing 54 for the reception of the actuating plunger 30 longitudinally therethrough. It Will of course be appreciated that suitable enlarged apertures are provided through the hub plates 82 and 84 and the hub end wall 86 so as to provide, a clear passage for the movement of the plunger 30.

The construction is completed by a pair of opposed mounting plates 92 and 94 engaged with the opposite faces of the door 26, and a pair of opposed roses or escutcheons secured to the mounting plates.

The above detailed construction, aside from the actuating plunger 30, generally is composed of elements similar to those found in a conventional door knob lock set wherein an actuation of the latch retractor is effected by a rotation of either door knob. It is through the unique actuating plunger 30 and its novel cooperative relationship with the latch retractor 66 that a push-pull construction can be produced utilizing structural elements similar to those heretofore associated solely with conventional knob rotating lock sets.

The actuating plunger 30 will normally consist of an elongated solid generally cylindrical rod, preferably of nylon or the like. The rod-like plunger 30 has a generally centrally located inwardly offset planar face or seat 96 bounded on one side by an inclined camming surface 98 and on the other side by a perpendicularly projecting flat wall 100. The portion 102 of the plunger 30 outwardly of the inclined camming surface 98 is cylindrical in shape while that portion 104 of the plunger 30 outward of the perpendicular wall is of a reduced diameter relative to the portion 102, this being effected by defin' ing a flat surface 106 longitudinally along the portion 104 parallel to the planar seat 96 and inwardly offset from the corresponding outer surface of the portion 102. The reduced cross-sectional area of the portion 104 between the outer end thereof and the inwardly offset seat 96 is of significance in enabling a positioning of the plunger 30 within the lock construction. This is effected through a depression of the latch retractor 66 against the biasing force of the springs 74 and an introduction of the reduced portion 104 thereover until the plunger seat 96 is aligned with the two inwardly directed retractor shoulders 68, at which time the retractor is released and the shoulders 68 seated within the recess 96 with the perpendicular end wall 100 engaged against an outer face panel 107 provided on the retractor between the opposed arms 64 below the shoulders 68. When positioned in this manner, noting in particular FIGURE 3, it will be appreciated that the plunger 30, upon being moved in the direction of the arrows through either a push or a pull on the appropriate plate 22 or 24, will, through an engagement of the inclined camming surface 98 against the shoulders 68, effect a withdrawal of the retractor 66 against the biasing force of the springs 74, and consequently a retraction, through the latch bar 42, of the latch bolt 38 against the biasing force of the spring 46. Once the appropriate control plate 22 or 24 is released, the biasing force of the springs 46 and 74 will effect an automatic return movement of the plunger 30 to its centered position with the shoulders 68 seated against the seat 96 thereof, and a corresponding extension of the latch bolt 38. The opposite ends of the actuating plunger 30 will of course be affixed to the control plates 22 and 24 in any suitable manner, such as by the bolt means illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 6-10, attention is directed to the significant utilization of the basic concepts of the instant invention in providing an appropriate lock or latch mechanism for an emergency door of the type which will incorporate a panic bar 108 on the inside thereof and a key controlled knob 110 on the outside thereof whereby free passage can be obtained from the interior to the exterior of the building while at the same time requiring the use of a key to obtain entry through the same door. The difference between the units of, for example, FIGURES 7 and 3 resides in the fact that the construction of FIGURE 7 incorporates an exterior control for effecting the retraction of the latch bolt 38 in the nature of a conventional rotatable.

knob having a conventional keyway unit 112 for selectively locking and releasing the rotatable spindle 114. This rotation of the spindle 114 brings the opposed camming surfaces 116 on the inner end thereof in selective engagement with the shoulders 68 of the latch retractor 66, whereby a retracting movement thereof is effected. The actual locking and releasing of the spindle 114 is effected through movement of a locking lug 118 into and out of engagement with a locking recess 119 defined in an adjacent portion of the side wall of the hub 90. This portion of the lock construction generally follows conventional construction as will, as an example, be found in various types of locks made by the Schlage Lock Company. Normally, this construction, aside from the key unit, would be duplicated on the interior of the door so as to enable a knob controlled exit through a rotation of the interior knob. However, inasmuch as it is desired that a push-type release be provided on the interior of the door, a modified form of camming plunger 120 is utilized, this plunger 120 being mounted in longitudinal alignment with the spindle 114 and being capable of independent operation relative thereto, while at the same time allowing independent operation of the spindle 114 in the normal manner. The actuating plunger 120, suitably fixed, as by bolt means 122, to the free end of the panic bar 108, includes a generally solid cylindrical body terminating in a beveled leading face 124 which cammingly engages against the camming shoulders 68 of the latch retractor 66 upon an inward movement of the plunger 120 through a push on the bar 108. The relationship between the inner end of the plunger 120 and the inner end of the spindle 114 is such so as to allow for the inward movement of the plunger 128 a sufficient distance so as to achieve the desired retracting movement of the retractor 66. Further, if deemed desirable or necessary, an elongated guide pin 126 can be mounted longitudinally within the plunger 124, projecting forwardly thereof into guiding reception within the hollow interior of the inner end of the keyway unit 112. This guide pin 126 can be secured to' the plunger 120 in any suitable manner, such as setscrew means 128. As will be appreciated from a comparison of the plunger 120 with the plunger 30, the plunger 120 actually closely approximates the portion 102 of the plunger 30 including the beveled or angled face or surface 98 thereon. Incidentally, FIGURE 9 is of significance in illustrating the inward positioning of the actuating plunger 120 with the retractor and latch bolt in their retracted positions.

FIGURES ll, 12 and 13, are of significance in illustrating a particularly unique feature of the instant invention, that being the utilization of the basic actuating plunger 30 as a means for retracting the latch bolt 38 by either a push-pull action or through a rotation thereof in the manner of a conventional door knob actuated lock construction. In this modified embodiment, the control means, rather than being fixed to the door as with the control plates 22 and 24, are fixed solely to the actuating plunger 30, such control means preferably being in the nature of knobs 130 which can be easily grasped and rotated in the manner of a normal knob, or, if preferred or made necessary by circumstances, merely pushed or pulled, depending upon the particular side of the door to which the user is positioned. One manner of mounting the knob 130 on the actuating plunger 30 has been illustrated in the drawings and comprises the utilization of a setscrew 132 engaged through an inwardly extending sleeve 134 on the corresponding knob 130 and into locked engagement with the end portion of the plunger 30, the knob sleeves 134 of course being freely slidable longitudinally within the lock unit along with the plunger 30.

The push-pull operation of the modification of FIG- URE 11 is the same as that described supra in connection with the form of FIGURE 3. That is, the longitudinal movement of the actuating plunger 30 in the direction of the arrows effects a retraction of the retractor 66 through a camming engagement of the camming surface 98 against the retractor shoulder 68. With regard to the rotational operation, attention is directed to FIGURE 13 wherein it will be noted that, upon a rotation of the actuating plunger 30, one of the opposed edge portions of the centrally located seat 96 will engage against one of the latch retractor shoulders 68 and effectively produce a retracting movement thereof against the biasing force of the springs 74 and a corresponding retraction of the latch bar 42 and latch bolt 38. The actuating plunger 30 is retained for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis by means of the opposed hub plates 82 and 84, the basic arcuate configuration of the plunger 30 along both the portions 102 and 104, as well as along the camming surfaces 96 and 98, facilitating the smooth rotational movement thereof within the apertures defined through the plates 82 and 84, as well as through the hub frame panel 86. Thus, there is produced a door lock set which not only has the appearance of a conventional door lock set, but is also capable of opera tion in the same manner, while at the same time also being fully operative in the manner of a push-pull set. Further, in addition to the operation of the door set in a conventional manner through a rotation of the knob, the assembly of FIGURE 11 provides for this rotational operation in a manner which effects a more rapid and simplified retraction of the latch bolt 38 than that normally achieved in the conventional door knob lock. For example, noting FIGURE 11 and assuming the upper side thereof constitutes the inside and the lower side thereof constitutes the outside, as the inside knob is grasped and rotated, there will also be a tendency to automatically pull the door toward the user. This combination rotational movement of the knob and pull on the actuator shaft will bring both the appropriate camming edge of the fiat central portion 96 and the inclined camming surface 98 into play so as to produce a substantially instantaneous retraction of the latch bolt and a free inward swinging of the door. By the same token, in manipulating the outer knob 130, there is a tendency to simultaneously push the door inward. This will also bring both the camming surfaces into play and allow the free inward swinging of the door. In this manner, what to all external appearances constitutes a conventional door knob lock set, is in fact, through the unique actuating plunger 30 of the instant invention, a superior set which insures a positive and instantaneous retraction of the latch bolt even by one unfamiliar with the internal construction thereof who proceeds to manipulate the knob in the conventional manner. Along the same lines, the familiar problem of the temporary jamming of the latch bolt through the application of a swinging pressure on the edge of the door prior to a complete retraction of the latch bolt has been eliminated in the instant invention in that any pressure on either of the knobs in the direction to which the door is to swing will, rather than tend to jamb the latch bolt, effect an even more rapid withdrawal of the latch bolt.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly superior door lock construction has been devised, this construction, through a utilization of basic elements, providing a positive acting push-pull operation either alone or in combination lWlth a rotational operation. In this manner, the lock set of the instant invention can be adapted to positively latching hospital doors, emergency doors, or conventional doors wherein conventional appearing knob sets are desired, the latching and unlatching operation in each instance being positive and trouble-free in nature. Incidentally, while the plungers have been illustrated as comprising solid rod-like members, such can be hollow if deemed desirable for manufacturing economies or other purposes, as long as the significant camming surfaces are provided.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A lock construction comprising a housing, a latch bolt mounted for selective extension and retraction relative to said housing, a latch retractor mounted within said housing, said retractor including forwardly directed laterally spaced arms, said arms including forward portions fixed to the inner end portion of said latch bolt for a selective movement thereof, and shoulder means including laterally spaced fiat coplanar shoulders extending generally transversely inward toward each other from said arms rearward of said latch bolt, means resiliently biasing said retractor and attached latch bolt forwardly toward the extended portion of said latch bolt, and actuator means mounted within said housing transversely of said shoulders and immediately forward thereof, said actuator means being mounted for longitudinal reciprocation transversely across said shoulders, said actuator means also being mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, said actuator means comprising an elongated generally cylindrical member having a central inwardly offset area therein including a fiat elongated planar portion of a length corresponding to the width of said shoulders and defining a seat for said shoulders, said flat portion extending longitudinally along said cylindrical member and including opposed coplanar longitudinal edges, each engaged with one of said shoulders, whereby upon a rotational movement of the member in either direction, one of said flat portion edges will produce a retractor moving force against the corresponding shoulder, an inclined fiat camming surface extending outwardly from one end of said shoulder seating fiat portion to the outer periphery of the member, said camming surface engaging both shoulders and effecting a camming force thereagainst upon a longitudinal movement of said member, and an end portion projecting generally perpendicularly outward from the other end of said fiat portion in opposed relation to said inclined surface.

2. Lock construction comprising a housing, a latch bolt selectively extensible and retractable relative to said housing, movable retractor means operatively engaged with said latch bolt for a slective extension and retraction of said latch bolt in response to movement of said retractor means, said retractor means comprising coplanar laterally spaced cam abutting shoulders, actuating plunger means mounted within said housing for both rotational movement generally about its longitudinal axis, and longitudinal movement generally transversely across the path of movement of the latch bolt, first camming means on said actuating plunger means selectively engageable against said retractor means shoulders upon a rotational move-- ment of said actuating plunger means for effecting a latch. retracting movement thereof, and second camming means on said actuating plunger means selectively engageable against said retractor means shoulders upon longitudinal movement of said actuating plunger means for also effect-- ing a latch retracting movement thereof, said actuating plunger means comprising an elongated generally cylindrical rod-like member, said rod-like member including a longitudinally extending elongated centrally located recessed seat including an elongated fiat bottom defined by opposed elongated coplanar edge portions, said edge portions constituting said first camming means operably engageable with said retractor means shoulders upon a rotational movement of said rod-like member, said second camming means comprising an inclined flat camming surface extending outwardly from the recessed seat at one end thereof and engageable with both shoulders.

3. For us in a door lock set incorporating a retractor controlled retracting latch bolt wherein said retractor incorporates a pair of laterally spaced flat cam abutment shoulders, an elongated actuating plunger, said actuating plunger comprising an elongated rod-like member including a central recessed seat defined by a flat elongated inwardly offset portion generally paralleling the longitudinal axis of said rod-like member, said fiat portion terminating at one end in an outwardly inclined fiat camming surface, said flat inwardly offset portion and said outwardly inclined fiat surface both defining opposed camming edges along the full length thereof for engagement with spaced abutment shoulders, these camming edges defining the outermost limit of the faces of the portion and the surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,965,789 7/1939 Anglyn 292170 2,747,907 5/ 1956 Golden l46 2,834,194 5/1958 Schlage 70l46 339,245 4/ 1886 Van Wintle 70l46 491,793 2/1893 Armstrong 70l46 508,267 11/1893 Armstrong 70l46 618,708 1/1899 Merwin 292 2,383,574 8/1945 Voight 292-170 3,385,622 5/1968 Winger 292-170 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner EDWARD J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner 

